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TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. - The U.S. Green Building Council awarded Northstar California with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the Zephyr Lodge, the new on-mountain restaurant that opened December 2011. The Zephyr Lodge has provided resort guests with a new on-mountain casual dining experience that includes views of the Sierra Crest and quality food options, such as a Napa salad bar and an Asian noodle bowl station.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000, LEED certification offers third-party validation of a project's green features and verifies the building is operating the way it was designed. The five categories projects can earn LEED points for satisfying green building criteria include sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

"We're proud to have earned LEED certification for the Zephyr Lodge project," said Bill Rock, chief operating officer of Northstar. "Both as a company and as a resort, we're committed to doing the right thing when it comes to the environment. Constructing our new lodge using sustainable practices was incredibly important from the start, and it's great to have recognition of this beautiful facility by the U.S. Green Building Council."

Completed in 20 weeks by local contractors under the oversight of Vail Resorts Development Company, the 17,000-square-foot lodge features 700 seats, provides 50 percent more on-mountain seating, and access to 26 additional on-mountain restrooms. The project received USGBC credit for elements in the following categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regional priority.

The Zephyr Lodge is not the first project at Northstar to receive LEED certification. The Village at Northstar is also LEED certified, and was the first "green" village at any U.S. ski resort when it was completed. Additionally, the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, located at mid-mountain at Northstar was also awarded LEED certification in 2010, making it the first-ever LEED certified Ritz-Carlton resort.

Those interested in experiencing the Zephyr Lodge don't have to wait much longer. The resort is scheduled to open for winter operations on Friday, Nov. 16, weather and conditions permitting. For more information, visit www.NorthstarCalifornia.com.